September 2021

Playful parenting, hacked!

We asked real families to show us how they make every day playful. Grab their ideas and make them your own!

Real life parents share their parenting hacks

And here’s a hack from us: make anything a plaything with these games and activities

child dropping colour drops on cotton

Cotton Colours

Ages: 0-3 years

People: 2+

Duration: 15-30 minutes

pictures of cow and bowl with toy animals

Act Like an Animal

Ages: 0-3 years

People: 2+

Duration: 15-30 minutes

Home made robots on a table

Art Bots

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 2+

Duration: 60+ minutes

Girl throwing paper ball at the target on the floor

Jumping Caps

Ages: 0-3 years

People: 2+

Duration: 15-30 minutes

child catching a ball

Can You Catch it?

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 2+

Duration: Under 15 minutes

Child holding LEGO DUPLO brick

Colour Hunt

Ages: 3-6 years

People: 2+

Duration: Under 15 minutes

Dive into our latest news, research, blogs and project stories

March 2024 News
Celebrating UN adoption of an International Day of Play
June 2023 Opinion
5 signs you’re (already) a playful parent
October 2022 Evidence
World Mental Health Day: How play can support children’s mental health
July 2022 Evidence
Good Life at home and at play
June 2022 Opinion
For families to play more, we need better policies
Playful parenting is a huge child development boost – but parents are too often over-stretched and under-supported. Here’s how systems can help families unlock the power of play.

Explore the research

How can reading be more playful?
Play is a powerful tool for children's language development. Here's why playful reading is so important.
In the classroom, Future skills
Learning through play: what the science says
Do you know that play builds brains? We look at research that shows how playful learning experiences lay the foundations for brain development and develops 21st century skills
In the classroom, At home, Future skills
The relationship between learning through play and holistic skills
Learning through play helps children develop the skills they need to thrive. And we’ve got an ever-growing body of evidence to illustrate it. Take a look.
Future skills, In the classroom
Positive play in a digital age
Children spend more time online than ever – so it is vitally important that digital platforms are a safe space to explore and learn through play. Here’s how organisations are steering industry and governments to put children’s wellbeing first.
Technology, Wellbeing
Why creativity matters and how play nurtures creative minds
Creativity is instinctive in children – and just as essential in adults. Here’s an introduction to what we know so far about why and how we should make space for children to hone creative skills.
In the classroom, At home, Future skills, Systems reform

Explore more

Play unlocks essential skills

Our world never stops changing, so how do we prepare children to navigate it? We let them play. Children thrive on play. It’s also perfect practice for tomorrow. Given the chance to think, negotiate, adapt to new rules and try again when things don’t go to plan, children develop essential skills that’ll last a lifetime.

Play boosts wellbeing for life

Better mental health. More resilience. A love of learning that lasts a lifetime. All ways that play boosts wellbeing from childhood.

Play is for everyone, everywhere

Play is how children learn naturally. That’s what makes it so powerful, and why it’s so important to make room for play.